topic Re: Block Attribute field automatically inputs first part of filename? in AutoCAD for Mac Forum

Block Attribute field automatically inputs first part of filename?

jamesPDEAU — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 12:19:12 GMT

Hello,

I've hundreds of separate sheet files, each with the same format of file name. Within the sheet, there's the same title block with various details, titles, revision number, drawing number etc.

To save hours having to update each one manually, is it possible to have the attribute field take the first few of the title? They all have a filename like 'File Number-File Title', so 'P-01-100-Existing Plan...'. I'd like for the drawing number to automatically read 'P-01-100' from the file name, but not the rest. And then for the drawing title, a separate attribute, to disregard the first 9 figures of the file name, and input the rest.

Is this possible with AutoCAD LT, or is this another function that's only available with the full version? 😩

Re: Block Attribute field automatically inputs first part of filename?

pendean — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 13:17:47 GMT

Do you use SheetSet Manager (SSM)? Among its many features are what you are asking for, and so much more https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Complete-Guide-Sheet-Set-Manager-2020

Re: Block Attribute field automatically inputs first part of filename?

jamesPDEAU — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 15:17:22 GMT

Hi there, thanks for the reply. I didn't know that was a function. It seems to be exactly what I'm looking for but I've just tried using the equivalent Project Manager on the Mac version and there seems to be a bug which won't allow me to add any existing drawings to the project (I found a troubleshooter which says the problem is because the file association is with another software that isn't AutoCAD, but that's not the case for me so hasn't helped with that bug). I'll investigate that further.

But in the meantime it would be useful to know if what I asked is a possibility. Does AutoCAD LT (for Mac, I should have added), allow any kind of macro into an attribute field that would break down a drawing file name as above?

For reference, this is the bug that is happening, but I've checked and the files are associated with AutoCAD LT for Mac: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-for-mac/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/project-manager-add-existing-drawing-fails-to-work-in-autocad-for-mac.html

Re: Block Attribute field automatically inputs first part of filename?

h_s_walker — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 15:14:02 GMT

You need to ask that in the MAC forums. Click the link below

AutoCAD for Mac

Re: Block Attribute field automatically inputs first part of filename?

jamesPDEAU — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 15:43:35 GMT

To go back to my main question, I've asked is there a formula for the scenario above that I can apply to an attribute?

I'm guessing that there isn't such huge differences between the Mac and Windows version of AutoCAD LT that a formula that would work for an attribute in Windows would be wildly different to one on Mac.

Re: Block Attribute field automatically inputs first part of filename?

pendean — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 15:52:01 GMT

I'll ask to have you moved to the MAC only forum where SSM is not an ability yet.

Re: Block Attribute field automatically inputs first part of filename?

steven-g — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:36:26 GMT

I cannot comment on the use in Autocad for Mac but in general, a field can contain a diesel expression and that diesel expression can read and show the filename (or parts of it).

Try this file and see if it works on Mac, you should be able to rename the file and after a refresh, the values in the block should update to match the start and end part of the file name.

Re: Block Attribute field automatically inputs first part of filename?

jamesPDEAU — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:52:43 GMT

Thank you, that worked perfectly!

And thank you to the others for your suggestions. I will also look into using the project manager function in the future, once I figure out this bug...